Uzbekistan’s Denau Institute of Entrepreneurship and Pedagogy (DIEP) on Thursday signed a landmark academic agreement with Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV), Raipur, aimed at boosting bilateral collaboration in agricultural research, biotechnology, and education. The Uzbek delegation, led by DIEP Rector Prof. Oybek Abdimuminovich Roziv, was particularly captivated by Chhattisgarh’s rich rice biodiversity and the scientific cultivation techniques practised at IGKV. “The genetic diversity in Chhattisgarh’s rice varieties and the technological applications here are remarkable. They inspired our institution to partner with IGKV,” Prof. Roziv stated during the international symposium on “Global Cooperation in Agricultural Education and Research.” The visiting delegates undertook a comprehensive tour of IGKV’s experimental farms, biotechnology labs, tissue culture facilities, and food processing units.

 

They were accompanied by IGKV Uzbekistan inks research pact with IGKV over rice biodiversity (From the front page) Vice-Chancellor Dr Girish Chandel, former ICAR Director General Dr R C Agrawal, ADG Dr Seema Jaggi, and DIEP faculty member and former Akola VC Dr Ravi Prakash Dani. The MoU, originally signed on April 17th, lays the foundation for joint research in water conservation, aromatic and medicinal plants, food technology, agri-entrepreneurship, and genetic crop improvement. It includes student and faculty exchanges for undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs. During a brainstorming session chaired by Dr Chandel, scholars and scientists from both universities discussed potential research trajectories in aquaculture, forestry, fibre crops, plant protection, and agri-business innovation. The visiting six-member Uzbek team also extended a formal invitation to IGKV students and researchers to participate in academic programs at DIEP. Dr Hulas Pathak, International Cell In-charge at IGKV, outlined the roadmap for executing the MoU, including thematic research programs and cross-institutional visits. “This partnership with Uzbekistan will open global avenues for our students and faculty, and accelerate innovation in sustainable agriculture and education,” said IGKV Vice Chancellor Dr Girish Chandel.